Movie Review | 'Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat'

A Comedian Offers Flashbacks and Words of Advice

By ELVIS MITCHELL

Published: August 2, 2002

In his first blush of popularity about a decade ago, with his stand-up comedy, films and sitcom, Martin Lawrence was unavoidable. (The theme song of his television show "Martin" was so infectious that the avenging archangel played by Matt Damon in "Dogma" could be heard singing it.)

Arguably, Mr. Lawrence is a bigger star now. His audience rapport is probably still strong enough to survive "Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat," a comedy concert filmed in Washington. This picture is mostly a lump of run-of-the-mill profanity sprinkled with a few remarks so geared toward engendering audience sympathy that you might think he was running for office — or trying to win over a probation officer.

"Runteldat," which opens nationwide today, begins with clips from Mr. Lawrence's career, when his eyes still shone with impishness. ("Runteldat" refers to the star's admonition to "run and tell that — the truth.") The retrospective includes film bits from "Bad Boys," "Blue Streak," "House Party," "Def Comedy Jam" and his first concert movie, "You So Crazy." In "Crazy" he wore matching black leather dashiki and pants, with a peace sign embroidered on the chest. In "Runteldat" he sports a beige leather outfit, and this time the tunic features a different graphic — a figure in full sprint. He's in motion with enough platinum and diamonds to provoke envy from the jewel-encrusted Roc-a-Fella Records crew.

But his tired observations about the television show "Cops" and the parenting styles of blacks versus whites seem to place the comedy in the early 90's, when he still had his restless future — of audience success and brushes with the law — ahead of him. All that is missing is a brick facade, a stool and a microphone stand, and we could be attending a big-screen re-creation of "Evening at the Improv."

Mr. Lawrence's entrance brings to mind another long-passed icon: a floodlight catches him in confrontational silhouette behind a scrim that slides open and we're transported back to the days of Arsenio Hall. When he gets off a line about "trying to hang on to what little hip-hop you have left," it's amusing and, sadly, all too true.

The seamier milestones in this comedian's life are seen in what must be a first for a concert film — tabloid-news-show re-enactments that have actors portraying sleazy entertainment reporters.

When Mr. Lawrence comments on the incidents in his life that made the tabloid shows over the last few years, it is the part of the film we're waiting for. And we do have to wait for it. But it is in those routines that he earns his laughs. "I ain't waitin' for the `E! True Hollywood Story,' " he warns.

He termed the weed he smoked before being arrested in a San Fernando Valley intersection the "Ooh-whee."

The comedian tests his audience's patience by giving more advice than laughs at times in the show. Though when the audience gets a little unruly, he reminds one potential heckler, "I'm the original `Def Jam' host." Moments like this, and turning the spotlight back on himself so he can do material about his selfishness — which melts under the spotlight's ugly glare — are scarce.

A co-producer of "Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat" was Walter Latham, who produced "The Original Kings of Comedy" tour and the subsequent concert film. None of the headliners of that show reduced themselves to imparting wisdom like "No one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life," which the star finds so compelling that these words turn up on a title at the end of the movie, after he has repeated them several times.

Directed by David Raynr; director of photography, Daryn Okada; edited by Nicholas Eliopoulos; produced by Michael Hubbard, Beth Hubbard, David Gale and Loretha Jones; released by Paramount Pictures. Running time: 104 minutes. This film is rated R.